CHILDREN and families across Hampshire are set to benefit as a host of adoption experts join forces for the very first time.
Council and voluntary adoption agencies are coming together for a special adoption recruitment and information event at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton on Saturday, November 26, from 10am to 2pm.
Hampshire County Council’s Executive Lead Member for Children’s Services, Councillor Keith Mans, said: “In Hampshire we have always worked in partnership with other local authorities and voluntary adoption agencies to ensure that children who are unable to live with their birth family are placed with an adopted family for life at the earliest possible opportunity.
"Joining adoption agencies together offers the benefits of scale, and Hampshire is keen to forge partnerships in this way. As far as we are concerned, the children come first and we do all that we can to get the best outcome for them. Of course, none of this is possible without families who are willing to adopt. I would urge those families to come forward – you could make a life-changing decision for you and a child.”
It means potential parents will be able to get advice from a variety of sources with the aim of helping more children find the loving homes they need.
Anyone considering adoption is encouraged to come to the drop-in event to meet with as many agencies as possible and chat to families who have already adopted about their experiences.
There is no need to book, and attendees are invited to simply drop by from 10am. All agencies are looking for adopters for children of all ages, especially sibling groups, children aged 2-6 and children with complex needs.
The event will be the first time such a range of experts has worked together in Hampshire, marking a milestone in efforts to create a regional adoption agency for the county.
The government is encouraging adoption agencies to come together and the seven organisations Adoption UK, Barnardo’s, Hampshire County Council, Isle of Wight Council, PACT, Portsmouth City Council and Southampton City Council are working towards that aim.
A regional approach to adoption will pool all agencies’ expertise into adoption recruitment meaning applicants will have more support than ever before. More importantly it will give more choice of adopters so the best matches can be found for children and they get a new family as soon as possible.
Working in partnership as a regional agency aims to help to find children their permanent family more quickly. At any one time there could be up to 70 children in the region with plans for adoption. Whilst some of these will have families identified or have even moved in to their new home, there will be some children waiting to be matched with families who want to adopt.
If you would like general information about adoption, or to chat to one of the team about the event, please call 01489 587052. You can also find out more about adoption at: www.hants.gov.uk/adoptionandfostering